A
lot has been said about Berry Gordy and Motown Records being the soul
of soul music. While this may be true, Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble
represent the rhythm in rhythm and blues. Gamble and Huff were the
prolific Philadelphia producers who were the songwriting and production
force behind artists like, The O'Jays, Jerry Butler, Harold Melvin and
the Blue Notes, The Intruders and other 1960's and 70's icons.

The "Philly Sound" is a distinctive one featuring a soulful mix of
urban rhythms, string sections, horns, a groovy baselines and melodies
that decorated timeless hits. Some of the songs that made Gamble and
Huff famous include: "Expressway to Your Heart," "Back Stabbers," "Love
Train," "The Love I Lost," "Me and Mrs. Jones" and many many more.

This 3 CD compilation is all a Philly boy like me needs to fix his
Philly Sound jones. All three records are literally filled with hits
and melodically compelling songs. This is not a collection of vault or
B-Side junk. These songs are the goods. The sound quality ranges widely
in that between 1966 - 1976 saw huge improvements in recording
techniques. Sound the quality is secondary to the songs on this set and
the songs make this CD one of the best ever. It is the first I have
ever given a score of 10 for song quality...it is that good.